On Terror

Louis John Rhead

I have climbed the mountain, for the Master awaited at the top.

I found him sitting below the apple tree, looking into the valleys below. Kestrels flew there, and for a moment I imagined the valley was the sea, the peak the shore, and the birds were some curious type of fish, circling about unseen streams.

"You did not come here to watch the birds," said the Master, though he was looking at them himself. "Speak your mind or leave me be."

I bowed, because politeness costs nothing. "I have fought in battles great and small, I have hunted beasts, and I have hunted men. I have delved into the depths, and there held a demon's gaze. I have climbed into the heavens, and stolen a dragon’s pearl. All this I did so I could know the meaning of terror. And yet, it eludes me. Tell me, Master, what is the meaning of terror?"

The Master looked at me as if I was the world's biggest fool, which I admit was not outside the realm of possibility. "Terror is that which does not follow the law."

I did not understand. "The thief does not follow the law, and neither does the king. I have never found them terrifying."

The Master's contempt was scathing. "Fool. The laws of man are not laws at all. The law of this land decrees that I do not throw you off the mountain to your death, but what stops me from doing so?"

I was young and strong, and the Master old, yet I had no doubt he could throw me off the mountain as easily as he breathed, if he so chose. No lawman would ever discover my corpse.  

The Master had read my thoughts. "Indeed, you yet live because I choose not to do so. The laws of man are no laws because one can simply choose to ignore them. They are mere suggestions, enforced by fear of reprisal or the desire for advantage.” 

“What then are laws?” 

The Master did not reply. Instead, he pointed towards the apple tree. “ This tree is too old. Its fruits are sour, its shade lacking. Return this tree to its seed, so that it may grow strong once more.”

I told him that I could not. He smiled as if I had said something profound. 

“That is because you are bound by laws. True laws. Laws that even the deep magic can only push, never break. The laws of here and there, of push and pull, of now and then. All who live under the sun are thus enslaved, from the smallest worm to the greatest wyrm. But imagine if that was not so. Imagine if I could simply …”

And I was at the bottom of the mountain. I had never climbed it to begin with, have never visited the Master. I had never asked my question. And yet an answer I received, and for the first time, I had known true terror.